--- title: "Accessibility Is an Opportunity, Not an Obstacle" id: "61438" type: "post" slug: "accessibility-is-an-opportunity-not-an-obstacle" published_at: "2022-05-09T12:00:46+00:00" modified_at: "2026-07-11T18:08:30+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/accessibility-is-an-opportunity-not-an-obstacle/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/accessibility-is-an-opportunity-not-an-obstacle.md" excerpt: "Disability access is a civil right and a human right but talking about it can sometimes be uncomfortable, which stalls progress. Taking small steps to achieve accessibility makes the process less overwhelming and ultimately more achievable." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Associations Now" - "C-suite" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Accessibility Is an Opportunity, Not an Obstacle Part of the Deep Dive[Make It Real](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/make-it-real-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-action/) As with other aspects of DEI, making real and sustainable progress on disability inclusion requires C-suite and peer-to-peer support. It also needs procurement changes to provide equity by choosing products and services that are accessible. “It takes leadership for organization to make the market change, as well as individual advocates,” said Samantha Evans, CAE, certification manager at the International Association of Accessibility Professionals. For example, organizations need to stipulate with vendors up front, starting with the RFP process, that their commitment to disability means they will only proceed, renew, or engage going forward with accessible vendors. Then, that market will have an incentive to change to keep their customers and attract new ones. Talking about accessibility often hits roadblocks because people get uncomfortable, and they don’t respond because they don’t know what to say. Then they feel guilty. “People center their reaction to the way they feel, instead of realizing this is an opportunity to change and make progress,” Evans said. The important thing to remember is, the goal isn’t to make everything 100 percent accessible. “It’s progress, not perfection,” Evans said. Change begins by taking small steps. That starts with understanding how people with different types of disabilities experience the world, with compliance being the bare minimum. For example, not everyone who is deaf uses sign language, not everyone who is hard of hearing has a hearing aid, and not everyone who is deaf wants captions over sign language. It’s essential to understand the communication preferences for people with disabilities because it’s easier to meet when you know what the need is. “We often hear about accommodations, but accommodations are a transaction, not a disability,” Evans said. “Accommodations are what happen when we don’t build an inclusive and accessible environment.” [Lisa Boylan](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Lisa Boylan is a former senior editor of Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/lisa-boylan/) Tags: [#Associations Now](https://associationsnow.com/tag/associations-now/) [#C-suite](https://associationsnow.com/tag/c-suite/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## More in this Deep Dive - [Sustain Your Focus on DEI](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/sustain-your-focus-on-dei/) - [The CEO’s Role in DEI Success](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/the-ceos-role-in-dei-success/) - [Engage Employees to Embed DEI Across Your Association](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/engage-employees-to-embed-dei-across-your-association/) - [Managing Member Pushback to DEI Initiatives](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/managing-member-pushback-to-dei-initiatives/) - [How Metrics Can Improve the Quality of Your DEI Initiatives](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/how-metrics-can-improve-the-quality-of-your-dei-initiatives/) - [Assess Your DEI Maturity to Determine What’s Next](https://associationsnow.com/2022/05/09/assess-your-dei-maturity-to-determine-whats-next/) [View the full Deep Dive →](https://associationsnow.com/deep-dives/make-it-real-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-action/) ## You Might Like - [VideoLeading the Way in Neuroinclusion with ASAE Research Foundation and MPIDecember 16, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/16/leading-the-way-in-neuroinclusion-with-asae-research-foundation-and-mpi/) - [VideoMoving Neuroinclusion From Afterthought to Standard PracticeDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/moving-neuroinclusion-from-afterthought-to-standard-practice/) - [VideoASAE Research Foundation and MPI Foundation on Neurodiversity in AssociationsDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/asae-research-foundation-and-mpi-foundation-on-neurodiversity-in-associations/) - [VideoSmarter Board Management for Associations: An OnBoard ShowcaseJuly 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/24/smarter-board-management-for-associations-an-onboard-showcase/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2022%2F05%2F09%2Faccessibility-is-an-opportunity-not-an-obstacle%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !